Meet Lindsay Sutherland Boal: 2015 Dundas Campus Valedictorian

TFS: Where are you from?

LSB: I was born in Edmonton, raised in Calgary and Vancouver.

TFS: What brought you to Toronto Film School?

LSB: I was looking for a career change. When I was taking some time off from performing I found myself at the TIFF Bell Lightbox watching foreign film. Being there seemed to make me very happy. I figured I better learn something about film!

TFS: Why did you choose your program?

LSB: Originally I wanted to go into Acting but I changed my mind and decided to go into Film Production. I changed my mind again a week before and started the acting program – and stayed. Glad I did.

TFS: Why do you think you were chosen as the Valedictorian for your program?

LSB: I think I was chosen for a couple of reasons:

I took advantage of the endless possibilities and resources the school offered me by acting in 10 leading and supporting roles for various short film projects, creating an online roster of 125 Toronto Film School actors for TFS productions –editing audition footage, uploaded materials and holding the –now quarterly – TFS General Auditions. I took it upon myself to act as a Casting Director on behalf of the production and writing students for the actors in the hopes that actors who were unknown to production and writing students would be auditioned and cast. I’m very happy to say that is exactly what happened. I wrote and produced two films – one was screened at the Toronto Film School Festival of Films and the other Little Cucumber Sandwiches is in postproduction. I also maintained a 4.27 GPA throughout the entire program.

TFS: If you could offer one piece of advice to an incoming student, what would that be?

LSB: I’ve got more than one. GET INVOLVED. Do more than what is expected. Find ways to make yourself useful. Do the work. Do the work. Do the work. No, you will not be asked for a transcript of your grades going into an audition but working hard and delving deep daily for 18 months provides an excellent understanding of material and creates a non-negotiable feeling of power.

TFS: What is one of the most important things you have learned/experienced at TFS?

LSB: There are two languages spoken in this industry: Actor and Production. If one wants to visit another country, one will be far better off speaking the host language.

TFS: What keeps you motivated?

LSB: I like to make big contributions that impact my work and the projects with which I am involved. I like to see my stories come to life on the big screen. I like to see people reap benefits of the work I do. I like to make other peoples jobs easier by identifying and filling in gaps and, of course I like making money.

TFS: What are your plans after graduation?

LSB: My plans for the next two months:

I will continue working for Toronto Film School as the Project Coordinator for all three campuses.

I will continue postproduction of my short film Little Cucumber Sandwiches and submit to international festivals.

My company LSB Production Group has it’s first production gig!

I will continue to be the Casting Director and one of the hosts for the national Toronto Talent Show.

I will be filming a leading role in a short film.

After two months:

Sky’s not the limit but a starting point. Let’s Go!